X360 review

X360 review

I hope I wasn't the only one who realized today was the reverse of 9/11...:(

Obviously, the largest event of November will be the release of Microsoft's next console, the Xbox 360. Many are feverishly anticipating the release, though many more expect shortages and "artificial scarcities". Whether or not this shortage conspiracy theory is true, it will be very hard to get your console.

The 360 has a more or less sufficient launch line-up, though it lacks big names like Sony's MGS/FF, or Nintendo's Mario/Zelda/Metroid. New and old franchises appear, including Rare's sequel to the N64 title, Perfect Dark Zero (which has been in development since 1665), Kameo: Elements of Power, another Rare title, and Quake IV. Project Gotham Racing and Oblivion will probably miss the launch, sadly. Upcoming titles such as Too Human and 99 Nights assure a strong first year. And then there is(will be) Halo 3.

Microsoft's next-gen focus has been very clear: creating an online gaming community. Their all-inclusive Xbox Live service hopes to expand how gamers look at MMORPGs and online FPSs. Microsoft has also placed a large importance on the graphical quality of its games. Hoping to usher in the "HD era" of videogames, the 360 will support many types of high-definition TVs to present crisper and more lifelike graphics.

The direction Microsoft is taking with the 360 caters exactly to their target audience. The numerous mature and FPS title reflect the 360's obvious appeal to an older type of gamer. The emphasis on online play is natural; even Nintendo, who resisted all aspects of it, is going online with Mario Kart. The pretty graphics may seem superficial to some, but it will sell the console to an uneducated gamer who simply wants to play NBA 2K6.

In the next generation of home consoles, each company is playing exactly to its strengths: Microsoft with online gaming, Nintendo with innovative ideas, and Sony with huge AAA titles. Perhaps, instead of a supposed "market crash", we will witness the Renaissance of gaming.

Comments (1)

Online Competition

But what do you think about the online aspect of Microsoft being so heavily weighted towards competition? Specifically, the every user's profile has points awarded for unlocking aspects of various 360 titles?

I can understand how people would want to be able to measure their acheivements on one specific title, but is it a good thing to just lump all of their gaming together? And to display that proficiency (or lack thereof) to the world at large?